“They had told me [the recovery time would be] six months, we are now two months on and I’m training well. I’ve never even had any bother, just my ear,”

In 2016, Boonen will be looking to win a record-breaking fifth Paris-Roubaix title as well as a fourth Tour of Flanders. He missed the Classics season in 2015 after damaging his shoulder in a crash at Paris-Nice in early March.

Boonen hasn’t given any indication of when he will retire, but in his interview with Het Nieuwsblad, the Belgian indicated that he will move into motorsport when he ends his career on two wheels.

“It is 100 per cent certain that after my cycling career is over I’ll be in motorsport,” said Boonen. “There are quite a few championships in Belgium where you can have fun as an amateur. The ultimate goal is the 24 hours of Zolder, close to home, family and friends.”

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